1.
class reunion; alumni gathering
A social gathering of former classmates or schoolmates, typically organized years after graduation to reconnect.
来月、同窓会がある。
There is a class reunion next month.
二十年ぶりの同窓会で懐かしい顔に再会した。
I was reunited with familiar faces at the reunion after twenty years.
同窓会に出席したら、みんなずいぶん変わっていて驚いた。
When I attended the class reunion, I was surprised at how much everyone had changed.
2.
alumni association
A formal organization of graduates from a particular school that maintains connections among alumni.
同窓会の名簿を更新する。
To update the alumni association directory.
同窓会が奨学金を設立した。
The alumni association established a scholarship.
同窓会の会長に選ばれた。
I was elected president of the alumni association.
同窓会 refers to both informal class reunion gatherings and formal alumni associations. A very common word in Japanese social life.
ETYMOLOGY:
同窓 (same school — literally "same window," where 窓 represents the classroom) + 会 (meeting, association).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 同窓会に出席する (to attend a reunion)
- 同窓会を開く (to hold a reunion)
- 同窓会の幹事 (reunion organizer)
- 同窓会の案内 (reunion invitation)
- 同窓会の名簿 (alumni directory)
CULTURAL NOTE:
Class reunions are an important part of Japanese social culture. They are typically organized around milestone years after graduation (5, 10, 20 years). The 幹事 (organizer) role is often rotated among classmates.
RELATED:
- 同窓生: fellow alumnus, former classmate
- 同級生: classmate (same grade)
- 卒業生: graduate, alumnus